Health stakeholders in Abia State have raised concerns over the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases in the state, attributing the resurgence to funding cuts instituted under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which affected the operations of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

 

The alarm was raised during a workshop for health leaders and managers in the state, where participants lamented the dwindling supply of subsidized antiretroviral drugs previously supported by USAID. They warned that unless urgent local interventions are implemented, the progress made in controlling the spread of the virus could be reversed.

 

“HIV/AIDS is now on the increase. Most of the patients are out of their drugs because of Trump’s policy which affected supplies by our donor agency, USAID,” the stakeholders stated. “You know that once an HIV/AIDS patient is on medication, the viral load will be suppressed. So, we need to re-strategise and come up with an action plan before it gets out of control.”

 

They also emphasized the critical need for timely delivery of healthcare products from donor agencies, highlighting a troubling trend of late arrivals. According to them, some medical supplies, including life-saving drugs, were only delivered in July despite being set to expire in September.

 

“How can you be giving us products that will expire by September in July?” one of the participants queried in frustration.

 

The stakeholders called for increased sensitization, a comprehensive local response, and better coordination to fill the gaps left by donor agencies. They stressed that without immediate action, the HIV/AIDS scourge could once again become a major public health threat in Abia State and beyond.